Imperial Orange Council
Open-knowledge reference entry
The Imperial Orange Council (IOC), also referred to simply as the Orange Council, and sometimes the World Orange Council or International Orange Council, is the supreme deliberative and coordinating council body of the international Loyal Orange Institution, also known as the Orange Order, a Protestant fraternity based in Northern Ireland and founded in 1795. The fraternity itself commemorates Ulster Protestant and Orange heritage, mainly through Orange walks, especially when thousands gather for the annual Twelfth of July processions, which commemorates King William III in his victory in the Battle of the Boyne.
The Orange Council serves to accommodate Grand Orange Lodges around the world. The Council consists of representatives from the recognised Grand Orange Lodges and is responsible for maintaining the Institution's constitution and principles and pushing modern Orangeism within each nations jurisdictions. Imperial Orange Council officials include an elected Imperial Grand Master (President), Treasurer and Secretary. A Ladies' Meeting also takes place during the Imperial Orange Council event to discuss Women's Orange Lodges.
The Imperial Orange Council was founded in July 1866 to unite all Grand Orange Lodges around the world following the first international Orange Conference held at Belfast Orange Hall. The international Orange Council meeting is held in a different location in July triennially, with up to 170 delegates attending, and takes place over a couple of days. Grand Masters from all around the world attend, including England, Scotland, Togo, Ghana, Canada, United States, Australia and New Zealand.
History
The Imperial Orange Council was established on 18 July 1866, following the first international Orange Conference was held at Belfast Orange Hall on Clifton Street, north Belfast.
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